章 30: 30. Rengoku Kyojuro

"M-Mitsuri, t-this isn't true, right?" Kotaro's voice trembled as he looked at her, his face filled with denial. Unable to accept the reality, he sought confirmation from her.

Mitsuri didn't respond with words. Instead, she pulled him into a tight embrace. "Kotaro-sama," she whispered softly.

Her warmth broke down the last of Kotaro's defenses, and he cried out, clutching her tightly. All his memories of Aiko flashed through his mind.

Her laugh...

'Kotaro, the beast.'

Her anger...

'Don't call me Old Virgin!'

Her kindness...

'Kotaro, the joy of life comes from living in the present, not the future.'

He could still feel her warmth, her hand patting his head as she gave him advice. But now...

'How can I accept this present? Tell me, Mom?'

Tap. Tap.

Before he could even sort out his thoughts, he heard footsteps approaching. Kotaro opened his tear-filled eyes, rubbed them a bit, and looked at the figure coming toward them.

Still cautious, Mitsuri stood up to protect Kotaro, knowing he wasn't in good condition.

"Who are you?" Mitsuri asked, her voice firm.

The figure stepped forward and spoke in a loud, clear voice that made Kotaro's eyes widen. "I am Rengoku Kyojuro, a Demon Slayer! I am searching for demons. Have you seen them?"

...

While Kotaro was miserably shedding tears in Mitsuri's embrace, he was oblivious to the fact that the demon's tracks were already known to those who hunted them—the Demon Slayers. The Kasugai Crow had informed the nearest Demon Slayer, and the one who had arrived was someone Kotaro knew of.

He wasn't familiar with him personally, but he knew who he was.

The Flame Hashira—Rengoku Kyojuro, though now a Kinoe. Following the instructions of his Kasugai Crow—Kaname, Rengoku had taken a breath and, like a flame, marched toward his destination.

When he arrived, he saw three people—one lying down and the other two with the man in the embrace of the woman's arms. Not finding any demons in sight, he approached them to inquire about the situation.

"I am Rengoku Kyojuro, a Demon Slayer! I am searching for demons. Have you seen them?"

Kotaro's eyes widened as he recognized the man standing before him. How could he not know him? Even though it was just a story, Kotaro had a deep respect and admiration for this man. But now...

Anger filled his mind, and despite the pain from his injuries with every movement, Kotaro walked up to Kyojuro and grabbed his collar.

"You... Why did you come so late?! If you had arrived a little earlier, Mom would have... Mom would have..."

His hands started to loosen, and Kotaro looked down and began to cry again.

"I am sorry for your loss. But stay strong. I believe your mother would want the same." Kyojuro patted Kotaro's shoulder and spoke with a warm smile. There was no anger in him toward Kotaro for blaming him.

Listening to Kyojuro's words, Kotaro went numb. His eyes widened before he started crying again. He knew it wasn't this man's fault.

The person Kotaro was angry with was himself. The powerlessness he felt from not being able to save Aiko. He had been given a miracle, the power of Hamon, yet he couldn't save her.

Kotaro was in a rage and directed that anger toward the person in front of him. He wanted to blame someone.

But it wasn't Kyojuro. If he had arrived a little earlier, he might have saved her. But the past can't be changed. It can't be undone.

No matter how much rage he felt, no matter how many demons he killed, Aiko wouldn't come back.

"It's because the past can't be undone that people can accept all sorts of pain, adversity, and cruel accidents and still move forward. Isn't it?"

Kotaro released Kyojuro and looked at the sky as he remembered a quote from his favorite anime. His fists were clenched, and a tear slid down his cheek, yet there was a smile on his face.

In that instant, Kotaro matured several years.

'I have to stay strong.'

Kotaro then turned his head and looked at Mitsuri, who was still watching him with tearful, worried eyes, making him feel a flicker of happiness.

'I am not alone anymore.'

That's right. He had to stay strong because he still had someone who cared about him. Someone who was worried about him.

"I am sorry for making you worry, Mitsuri."

"Kotaro-sama."

Kotaro held her close, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't someone who had lost everything. He still had something—someone—more precious than his own life to care for.

'Am I doing it right, Mom?'

"That's a good quote! I like it!"

"Wahh! You scared me!" Kotaro had forgotten that the enthusiastic man was still standing beside them. Kyojuro's sudden shout made his heart jump in surprise.

"Because the past can't be undone, people learn to accept the pain and move forward. Hm. I like it!" Kyojuro repeated, still smiling.

Kotaro ignored him and got straight to the point.

"Kyojuro… Can I call you that?"

"I have no problem!"

Kotaro's eyes twitched, wanting to complain about Kyojuro's ridiculous volume, but he held back.

"Then Kyojuro, what did you want to ask me?"

Earlier, he hadn't paid attention to whatever Kyojuro wanted to ask, so Kotaro inquired now.

"Have you seen where the demon went?"

"Demon? I killed it."

"Hm?"

To make sure Kyojuro heard him clearly, Kotaro repeated it, crystal clear.

"The demon, I killed it."

===

A/N:

This chapter was a bit challenging. After Aiko's death, I wasn't sure which direction to take, but I ultimately decided it would be good to introduce Kyojuro and make Mitsuri aware of the existence of the Demon Slayer organization.

I also wanted to develop Kotaro as a character who doesn't kill demons out of a desire for revenge, since that feels too edgy and isn't really my style.

So, how does the chapter look?

Many have suggested giving Kotaro a Stand, but I think it might be too early in the story for that. However, since so many people have mentioned it, I will give Kotaro a Stand. But what kind of Stand should it be?

Humanoid or non-humanoid? I was thinking that maybe his Stand could be his weapon, like Hol Horse's "Emperor."

So, give your opinions!